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### /"')0"'" U.S, Department Assistant Secretary ULI I**rn~;r~;::~~Q** Ii

## fATION 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE """!\, ;,} Washington, DC 20590 of Transportation Office ofthe Secretary Karch 25" 2010 ofTransportation



### The Honorable Horace G. Shipp Mayor ofTexarkana Texarkana, AR 71854 DearMayor Shipp: Thank you for your letter ofFebruary 26 supporting the application for antitrustimmunityfiled by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. I am responding on behalfofSecretary LaHood. As you may know, the applicants-members**ofth~** 

### oneworld Alliance-' are seeking antitrust immunity to closely coordinate flights between the United States and Asia. According to the application, the alliance partners planto launch ajoint venture for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The application is administered in a public docket, which ensures that interested parties have the opportunity to comment. The U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) will evaluate the application according to rigorous statutory standards, beginning with a review ofthe record to detennine ifit is substantially complete. Decisions on the application are made in consultation with the U.S. Department ofJustice's Antitrust Division follOWing a thorough analysis of competitive factors. As this matter is now pending, I hope you understand that I cannot commenton the merits ofthe applicatiotl. I can assure you, however, that DOT will give full and fair consideration to the application as well as any comments filed in

### the docket. As is our,nonnal practice, I am placing a copyofyour letter and this response in Docket DOT-OST-201O"'as a contact outside the record in this matter. I appreciate your interest in this proceeding. Sincerely yours,

Susan L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International AffairsS I0-1 00304-004



### CITY OF TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS 216 Walnut Street, Texarkana, Arkansas 71854 P.O. BOX 2711-- TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS**75504~2711** PHONE (870) 779-4996

- FAX (870) 774-3170 OFFICE OF THE MAYOR February 26, 2010
TheHonorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary, U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
. Washington, DC 20590 DocketDOT-OST-2010-

__ Dear

### Mr. Secretary: Thanlc'you. for the opportunity to express my support as well as that ofmy community for the application for antitrust immunity and proposed joint business agreement filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The proposed alliance between these two airlines is vital for .the oneworld alliance to.compete effectively withthe Star and SkyTeam alliances. This increased alliance competition 

### will in tum enhance the bene!its ofthe Department's Open Skies policy-first by solidifYing U.S.

- Japan Open Skies, then by serving as a foundation for further liberalization across Asia. After a thorough review, we encourage the Department of Transportation to approve this application as itwould enablethese one world alliance airlines to work closelytogetherto deliver highly competitive air transportation services. Approval for AAlJAL alliance will have a positive impact on 

### airtravel by offering customers more service, scheduling and pricing options and 

### will help to ensurethat customers continue to benefit from the competition afforded by three competitive air alliances. I 

### urge you to quickly approvethis application. Sincerely.

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Horace 

### G. Shipp Mayor WWW.L'Ckusa.org!gr
. shipp@LXku§a.org